Page 10 - HME Business, September 2017

News / Trends / Analysis
New Site Aims to Connect Patients With HME Providers
Homebecause.com lets providers list their businesses to help consumers and caregivers in their area find them.
Mediware
Home Because has launched a new website, www.homebecause.com, which aims to connect consumers and caregivers with local HME providers.
“We realized how many consumers and care- givers were turning to online resources for purchase decisions on HME, DME, and in-home services, but could make much better decisions with local, in-person provider support,” said Carol Lockett, creator of HomeBecause.com. “Our website bridges that gap, connecting online consumers and caregivers with local providers.”
HomeBecause.com’s “provider search” feature lets consumers and caregivers select a product or services category, research the topic, then select
a provider search feature that points them to a local provider.
The HomeBecause.com portal is open to all providers, who can sign up to be listed on the site, as well as highlight premium listings within their geographic area.
“Our initial launch is proving tremendous consumer and caregiver traffic,” Lockett noted. “Our goal is to partner with as many local providers as possible across the U.S. to direct our visitors accordingly. For consumers and caregivers, we optimize access to products and services. For providers, we deliver lead genera- tion. Ultimately bringing both together as we are is a win-win for all.” n
Systems
Stratice-Athenahealth
Partnership Links Referrals
with Post-Acute Suppliers
Agreement part of a larger effort to redefine how prescribers of DME and the providers of DME connect.
Purchase of social services software maker part of a Mediware initiate to expand its range of offerings.
HME software maker
Mediware Information Systems Inc. has acquired Bowman Systems LLC, a provider of software solutions for human services such as those provided to the homeless.
Bowman is a major player in the realm of social services. More than 30,000 users across 48 states and one Canadian province use Bowman Solutions software for housing-related programs, informa- tion and referral services and rescue missions.
The company’s flagship product is the most widely deployed software for U.S. homeless assis- tance programs. It provides software solutions to approximately 60 percent of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) communities.
So what’s a post-acute care software company doing purchasing a company like Bowman?
A statement from Mediware says it bought Bowman Systems to increase the rnage of its product offerings.
“Bowman Systems’ strength in homeless management information systems is a great complement to our existing offerings in behav- ioral health and long-term services and supports,” Mediware President and CEO Thomas Mann
said. “The combined companies will support the growing trend for coordinating services across state and local agencies.”
Moreover, Mediware reports that it is also aims to expand upon Bowman Systems achievements in what could be increased crossover between post-acute care and human services in the future.
“We are excited about the value Bowman Systems provides to the many provider organiza- tions that serve the homeless and other consumers needing a wide array of human services,” Mann added. “As the requirement to provide a broad set of services in community settings grows, Mediware is better equipped to meet that need with the addition of Bowman Systems. We will continue to expand our expertise and software offerings in both post-acute care and human and social services.” n
Stratice Healthcare, which develops electronic ordering solutions that connect physicians and hospitals with suppliers
and providers of medical equipment, has part- nered with Athenahealth Inc. via Athenahealth’s More Disruption Please (MDP) program.
As part of the Athenahealth Marketplace, Stratice’s eOrdersPlus application is now available to Athenahealth’s growing network of 100,000 healthcare providers. This should expand its ability to connect practices, physicians, and other prescribers of equipment and supplies to HME providers via an efficient, trackable, and compliant platform. The system’s electronic integration to the prescriber’s EHR platform also reduces phone calls, faxes and manual processes to receive detailed written orders.
Athenahealth offers medical record, revenue cycle, patient engagement, care coordination, and population health services for hospital and ambu- latory clients. The company’s overarching strategy is to build what it has dubbed a national, “health information backbone” to increase overall health- care efficiency.
As an MDP partner, Stratice Healthcare joins
a network of healthcare professionals who
are looking to disrupt established healthcare approaches and help providers thrive in the face of industry change. n
Acquires
Bowman
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10 HMEBusiness | September 2017 | hme-business.com
Management Solutions | Technology | Products